3rd Party Billing for Veterans - Dies for Now
As you may have seen in the news - the Obama Administration and OMB - were poised to institute a proposal/billing system whereas disabled or wounded veterans receiving earned care at VA facilities would have their own private insurance companies billed for the care they received at VA. These are Veterans that have health care benefits that they earned due to some kind of military injury, not normal every day sicknesses. These are Veterans from wars and conflicts or military service that this country asked them to do! NRA along with several associations wrote letters directly to the President and OMB - that this proposal was unfair and that we all (every VSO and MSO in the country) would not support billing Veterans' private insurance companies for veteran health care connected to service injuries. The supposed 'savings' was over $540 million dollars.
Our letter is posted on our website. The most disturbing issues surrounding this event - which we believe all VSOs and MSOs have turned off for now, is that the proposal seems to be a bargaining chip for Veterans and military members to accept or agree to other pending (and unknown) budget cuts. When asked about what the 'savings' would go toward, if anything in VA health care, the White House answer was more disturbing - 'we don't know, we'll get you that information.' Many believe that the President may still move forward with the 3rd party billing plan and use the savings for other health care initiatives or other mandatory spending programs unknown to us at this time. It is reported from those that attended the meeting, coalition members, that there was a clear lack of knowledge of how this would affect veterans and veterans' groups, and that the President did not want to hear the argument about 'moral and governmental obligations to wounded veterans that would be compromised by this initiative, if implemented.'
We urge you to write your Congressional delegation in opposition to 3rd party billing of Veterans care, and in opposition to any fee increases to military members' health care systems. The US military members represent 2.9% of the US population, and have earned their health care as serving members and as Veterans.
This WEEK in Washington
NRA dba AUSN was very busy this week in Washington with the following events, besides opposing OMB and the White House on 3rd party billing.
US House Guard and Reserve Caucus Breakfast - we are a prime sponsor of this event, which brings together House members and staffs with the Reserve Component chiefs. This year we had 18 Congressional members attending, we got to talk with most of them, and over 20 more staff members from other Congressional offices. At this meeting the following key issues where expressed by Reserve Chiefs as priority issues for this legislative year:
- continuum of care,
- equipment for training and operations, and
- taking care of people.
Meeting with Speaker Pelosi and House Leadership - we where invited to the Capitol to meet with Speaker Pelosi and most Chairs of the House Committee to discuss military and veterans issues. Our leadership met and discussed our issues one-on-one with Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Skelton, Congressman Obey, Congressman Rangel, and other key Congressional leaders. We delivered to them (and, they listened) our top three priorities;
- full funding and implementation of the Reserve Reintegration Program across all areas of the Reserve Components,
- no more manpower cuts for the Naval Reserve or US Navy, and
- the overwhelming need for NGREA for Navy Reserve equipment this year.
We will be following up with more testimony and more 'take action' steps to realize our legislative goals for this year. We need your help. So, write your Congressional leaders, go see them!
US Senate Caucus Breakfast Meeting - we are a major sponsor for this annual event to be able to interact with the Senate Reserve Caucus and to discuss our legislative agenda as well as hear the Senate's intentions on key issues. We met Senator Chambliss (GA), Senator Isakson, (GA), and Senator Pryor (AR), along with their staffs, other Senator's staffs, and key SASC Professional Staff members. Again, we heard all Reserve Component Chiefs discuss their priorities for Congress. There is a theme that follows throughout all this week's meetings; manpower, modernization, and management for the Strategic Reserve and Operational Reserve. Most are concerned that we have to take care of people, families, and employers now, to be able to stay the course for an operational reserve force. Over 700,000 Guard and Reserve members have been activated since 9-11, and over 195,000 are on their second tour or more!
Bills to Support
S 644 and HR 208 - these two bills will make the FY08 Reserve Retirement provision (lowering of receipt for your reserve retirement below age 60 for active duty mobilization) retroactive to 9-11. Senator Chambliss (GA) and Senator Kerry (MA) have teamed up in the Senate with S.644 and of course Congressman Joe Wilson (SC)
HR 270 - TRICARE Standard for Gray Area Retirees - Congressman Latta (OH) - introduced this bill, but, it is gaining support. This will provide opportunity for gray area retirees to buy - TRICARE coverage.
HR 775 and S 535 - Military Surviving Spouse Equity Act - repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan to offset the receipt of veterans dependency and indemnity compensation.
Shortly to be introduced by Senator Lincoln - A bill to make all gray area retirees - those with 20 good years and retired - veteran status under Title 38. We will have the bill posted as soon as it is introduced.
We urge you to write your Congressional delegation in support of these issues - now, and constantly. You can use our CAPWIZ system to find and write your representative a quick note.